Nyloncraft adds big-ton injection press
MISHAWAKA, IND. -Nyloncraft Inc. is investing $1.2 million to beef up its large-ton, multishot capacity in Mishawaka.
The Tier 1 automotive supplier has purchased a 1,500-ton, multishot Milacron injection press, said Jim Deren, Nyloncraft's business development manager.
``We purchased the press for some new automotive contracts that we think we have,'' he said in a March 7 telephone interview. He declined to identify the contracts.
The machine is the third large-ton press for Nyloncraft's headquarters facility. The firm said it also will add at least 16 employees to its current base of 396.
Multishot technology allows Nyloncraft to make a seamless transition between hard and soft substrates, Deren said. ``We're seeing growth in multishot,'' he said. ``It's a nice niche.''
Nyloncraft's 165,000-square-foot facility in Mishawaka has machines with 133-1,760 tons of clamping force. ``We do have the infrastructure to go with larger presses as well,'' Deren said.
The firm reported $83 million in total 2001 injection molding sales, according to Plastics News data. Officials expect the Mishawaka facility to generate $51 million in sales this year. Nyloncraft also operates facilities in Jonesville, Mich., and Bowling Green, Ky.
Siegel-Robert shutting St. Louis plant
ST. LOUIS - Siegel-Robert Inc. Automotive and Diversified Products plans to close its aging St. Louis injection molding plant this summer.
Built in 1960, the 120,000-square-foot facility employs 188. Spokesman Rob Haller said the company will shift work to operations in Farmington, Mo., and Elberton, Ga.
The Farmington plant opened in 2000, with Elberton following during late 2001 or early 2002, Haller said. During the past 11/2 years, Siegel-Robert has increased the space at its facilities by more than 1 million square feet, he noted.
Last May, Siegel-Robert closed its factory in Wilson, Ark., laying off about 250 workers. However, the firm also opened a 402,000-square-foot operation in Newbern, Tenn., that employs 450.
``We're trying to get everything geared to lean manufacturing initiatives,'' Haller said.
Siegel-Robert operates seven North American molding facilities and reported molding sales of $350 million for 2002. The company, which makes a variety of automotive trim parts, tied at No. 22 in Plastics News' last injection molders ranking.
JPE seeking buyer for Plastic Trim unit
AUBURN HILLS, MICH. - JPE Inc. announced March 3 it is accepting purchase offers for its subsidiary Plastic Trim Inc., a manufacturer of decorative exterior trim.
``The company is looking for strategic partners to help grow the business,'' said Chief Financial Officer Robert Naglick.
Dayton, Ohio-based PTI, which extrudes and injection molds decorative plastic exterior trim, employs about 500 at its 170,000-square-foot plant, Naglick said. PTI had sales last year of $66.8 million, he said.
Auburn Hills-based JPE also announced the sale of subsidiary Dayton Parts Inc. to investment firm Gen Cap America Inc. of Nashville, Tenn. Terms were not disclosed. DPI manufactures springs and related products, and other undercarriage replacement parts for trailers and trucks
JPE manufactures automotive and truck components for original equipment manufacturers and the replacement parts market.
Load of falling pipe kills truck driver
GRAND ISLAND, NEB. - The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the death of a truck driver last week at Diamond Plastics Corp.'s headquarters facility in Grand Island.
Gregory Sanabria, 39, died Feb. 27 from injuries suffered when a bundle of pipe weighing 1,100 pounds fell on him.
``He was in the process of tying the load down when it happened,'' said Robert Gilbreath, Diamond's operations manager, in a March 6 telephone interview. ``We had finished our function as an uploading transporter.''
Sanabria worked for Adams & Son Trucking Inc., a contract carrier based in Sidney, Neb. There were no witnesses to the incident, Gilbreath said.